Thecophora metallica Camras, 1962b

Stuke, Jens-Hermann, 2015, New Conopid records from the Afrotropical Region (Diptera). Part 1: Paramyopa Kröber, Pseudoconops Camras, Stylogaster Macquart, Thecophora Rondani, and Zodion Latreille, Zootaxa 3963 (2), pp. 101-159 : 113

Thecophora metallica Camras, 1962b

( Figs 18–20 )

Material. MADAGASCAR: 1♂, 6.–17.vii.2003, Fianarantsoa Province, 12 km w Ranomafana National Park entrance, 1215 m, montane tropical forest [2115.05′S 4724.43′E], leg. R. Harin’Hala, M. E. Irwin, coll. CAS; 1♂, 27.ii.–13.iii.2005, Fianarantsoa Province, Ranomafana NP, radio tower at forest edge, 1130 m, mixed tropical forest [2115.05′S 4724.43′E], leg. M. Irwin & R. Harin’Hala, coll. CAS; 1♀, 27.vi.–12.vii.2005, ditto.

Discussion. Camras (1962b) described two characters that confirm the interpretation of this species as given in the key: (1) Facial grooves mainly black. This character state is observed in some specimens of Thecophora metallica but never in Thecophora clementsi . (2) Thorax metallic blue-green violet, and as variation of the paratype, The metallic color on thorax is very faint on the pleura. The metallic pleurae are characteristic of this species ( Fig. 18 ).

Figures

FIGURES 18 – 20. Thecophora metallica Camras. 18. Lateral view of thorax and head (♂, 12 km w Ranomafana). 19. Frontolateral view of head (♂, 12 km w Ranomafana). 20. Posterior view of theca (♀, Ranomafana NP).